Mike Ray
@klaridad.bsky.social
Educator, lover of languages and language learning, proud dad, husband, brother, uncle.
Reposted by Mike Ray
Why MAGA doesn’t understand humor:
• Context is dismissed
• Satire is read as belief
• Bad faith is the default lens
• Punchlines are mistaken for positions
• Ambiguity feels threatening
• Laughter implies someone is “getting away with something”
• Context is dismissed
• Satire is read as belief
• Bad faith is the default lens
• Punchlines are mistaken for positions
• Ambiguity feels threatening
• Laughter implies someone is “getting away with something”
December 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Why MAGA doesn’t understand humor:
• Context is dismissed
• Satire is read as belief
• Bad faith is the default lens
• Punchlines are mistaken for positions
• Ambiguity feels threatening
• Laughter implies someone is “getting away with something”
• Context is dismissed
• Satire is read as belief
• Bad faith is the default lens
• Punchlines are mistaken for positions
• Ambiguity feels threatening
• Laughter implies someone is “getting away with something”
Reposted by Mike Ray
A year-end special from me:
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin
The worst of the worst, ranked 1-25.
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:09 PM
A year-end special from me:
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
The 25 Worst Villains of the Trump Admin, in ranking order. open.substack.com/pub/meidasto...
Reposted by Mike Ray
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with light and joy.
December 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Merry Christmas! Michelle and I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with light and joy.
Reposted by Mike Ray
How are these fits of presidential incontinence never covered as their own news events in NYT? Hours of sick hateful bile from the curdled joyless leader of the Christian nationalists sitting in the ruins of the tinsel trimmed White House he’s demolishing — seems like a story to me.
December 27, 2025 at 3:32 AM
How are these fits of presidential incontinence never covered as their own news events in NYT? Hours of sick hateful bile from the curdled joyless leader of the Christian nationalists sitting in the ruins of the tinsel trimmed White House he’s demolishing — seems like a story to me.
Reposted by Mike Ray
I always thought Plato was pretty pollyannaish on this point, but this is decent evidence for the view that a man of bad character will therefore be unhappy even with every external trapping of success and good fortune.
President Donald Trump gifted the world with nearly 200 Truth Social posts (and counting) on Christmas Day, where he amplified conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and called for a member of Congress to be deported.
Trump Posts Nearly 200 Times in Unhinged Christmas Day Spree
The president amplified conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and called for a member of Congress to be deported.
trib.al
December 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I always thought Plato was pretty pollyannaish on this point, but this is decent evidence for the view that a man of bad character will therefore be unhappy even with every external trapping of success and good fortune.
Reposted by Mike Ray
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
www.muellershewrote.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
Reposted by Mike Ray
did a video a few days ago making the case for supreme court expansion www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjB_...
Why Democrats need to expand the Supreme Court
YouTube video by Takes™ by Jamelle Bouie
www.youtube.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM
did a video a few days ago making the case for supreme court expansion www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjB_...
Reposted by Mike Ray
For those of us warning about democracy's potential disintegration, the decision by CBS to pull an exhaustively researched 60 Minutes piece, critical of Trump, is another red alert moment.
When truth disappears as the media gets coopted by the regime, there's little left.
When truth disappears as the media gets coopted by the regime, there's little left.
December 22, 2025 at 9:45 PM
For those of us warning about democracy's potential disintegration, the decision by CBS to pull an exhaustively researched 60 Minutes piece, critical of Trump, is another red alert moment.
When truth disappears as the media gets coopted by the regime, there's little left.
When truth disappears as the media gets coopted by the regime, there's little left.
Reposted by Mike Ray
“Gantchev suffered from type 2 diabetes and told his wife no diet accommodations were made for him. She and Anna said the small amount of food that is given to people detained at North Lake was not enough for maintaining Gantchev's blood sugar levels.”
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
https://abc7chicago.com/post/bulgarian-chicago-business-owner-nenko-gantchev-dies-ice-custody-family-congresswoman-call-immediate-investigation/18301520/
Bulgarian Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody, sparking calls for 'immediate investigation'
A Bulgarian man from Chicago arrested during an immigration enforcement 'blitz' has died while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at a Michigan private prison, the ABC7 I-Team has learned.
abc7chicago.com
December 20, 2025 at 3:04 AM
“Gantchev suffered from type 2 diabetes and told his wife no diet accommodations were made for him. She and Anna said the small amount of food that is given to people detained at North Lake was not enough for maintaining Gantchev's blood sugar levels.”
Reposted by Mike Ray
Frost: If you want to protect children, why don't you ban assault weapons instead of health care?
December 17, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Frost: If you want to protect children, why don't you ban assault weapons instead of health care?
Reposted by Mike Ray
Two days after the House of Representatives voted to restore collective bargaining rights to federal employees, Trump moves to illegally end collective bargaining for TSA workers.
Trump may be the most anti-union president in American history.
Trump may be the most anti-union president in American history.
December 13, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Two days after the House of Representatives voted to restore collective bargaining rights to federal employees, Trump moves to illegally end collective bargaining for TSA workers.
Trump may be the most anti-union president in American history.
Trump may be the most anti-union president in American history.
Reposted by Mike Ray
In late 2020 a Chinese man called Guan Heng travelled to Xinjiang with our BuzzFeed map of detention facilities to provide ground truth for our work - he provided the first corroborating evidence for many sites.
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
ICE Holding Chinese Man Who Documented Uyghur Camps
Heng Guan is awaiting an immigration hearing on Monday that could lead to his removal from the U.S. and ultimately land him back in China, according to his lawyer and a New York-based activist group.
www.wsj.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:17 PM
In late 2020 a Chinese man called Guan Heng travelled to Xinjiang with our BuzzFeed map of detention facilities to provide ground truth for our work - he provided the first corroborating evidence for many sites.
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
He escaped to the US - then ICE detained him.
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Reposted by Mike Ray
My kids have measles, there are no toys on the shelves, and I can't afford a steak. But at least there's no sign language interpreter at White House press briefings now.
December 13, 2025 at 3:07 AM
My kids have measles, there are no toys on the shelves, and I can't afford a steak. But at least there's no sign language interpreter at White House press briefings now.
Reposted by Mike Ray
Republicans gave $132 billion in tax breaks to the top 1% in 2027.
With that money, we could have extended ACA tax credits for over 20 million people next year and still have $100 billion left over.
With that money, we could have extended ACA tax credits for over 20 million people next year and still have $100 billion left over.
December 11, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Republicans gave $132 billion in tax breaks to the top 1% in 2027.
With that money, we could have extended ACA tax credits for over 20 million people next year and still have $100 billion left over.
With that money, we could have extended ACA tax credits for over 20 million people next year and still have $100 billion left over.
Reposted by Mike Ray
Breaking: Indiana State Senate rejects 9-0 Republican gerrymandered congressional map, stands up to Trump’s pressure campaign of threats and intimidation. Huge victory for democracy & defeat for Trump in gerrymandering war he started
December 11, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Breaking: Indiana State Senate rejects 9-0 Republican gerrymandered congressional map, stands up to Trump’s pressure campaign of threats and intimidation. Huge victory for democracy & defeat for Trump in gerrymandering war he started
Reposted by Mike Ray
Judy Garland’s performance of this song following JFK’s assassination should be required listening. You can see her near tears when she sings this line, but she goes on.
December 9, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Judy Garland’s performance of this song following JFK’s assassination should be required listening. You can see her near tears when she sings this line, but she goes on.
Reposted by Mike Ray
A lot of solid covers of this beautiful song, but Odetta’s is my favorite. youtu.be/4VsE9T4Sr30?...
December 9, 2025 at 2:33 AM
A lot of solid covers of this beautiful song, but Odetta’s is my favorite. youtu.be/4VsE9T4Sr30?...
Reposted by Mike Ray
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
December 7, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Read this: www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Reposted by Mike Ray
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
Reposted by Mike Ray
AT&T just cut DEI in order to get deals done, just like TMobile, Verizon and others. FCC now stands for Fuck Citizens of Color.
December 4, 2025 at 4:43 AM
AT&T just cut DEI in order to get deals done, just like TMobile, Verizon and others. FCC now stands for Fuck Citizens of Color.
Reposted by Mike Ray
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
ICE Arrested and Separated Chinese Father From 6-Year-Old Son, Advocates Say
The father and son were detained at an ICE check-in on Nov. 26, advocates say. The son’s location is currently unknown, while the father is being held at an upstate ICE facility.
www.thecity.nyc
December 2, 2025 at 5:42 PM
A 6-year-old boy is missing after ICE arrested him and his dad in NYC last week and shipped them off to separate facilities. www.thecity.nyc/2025/12/02/i... @thecity.nyc @gwynnefitz.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Ray
It isn't a war. If it were, the strikes are still war crimes.
The drugs weren't headed to the U.S.
The people killed were likely poor, low-level smugglers, not drug lords.
Most overdose deaths are from fentanyl. Fentanyl doesn't come from South America.
Everything else Marshall says is correct!
The drugs weren't headed to the U.S.
The people killed were likely poor, low-level smugglers, not drug lords.
Most overdose deaths are from fentanyl. Fentanyl doesn't come from South America.
Everything else Marshall says is correct!
Sen. Roger Marshall defends Hegseth: "Look, we're losing 200 Americans every day to drug poisoning from these drug lords. This is a war. And it's ugly. War is never pretty ... that strike probably saved thousands of American lives."
December 3, 2025 at 2:47 PM
It isn't a war. If it were, the strikes are still war crimes.
The drugs weren't headed to the U.S.
The people killed were likely poor, low-level smugglers, not drug lords.
Most overdose deaths are from fentanyl. Fentanyl doesn't come from South America.
Everything else Marshall says is correct!
The drugs weren't headed to the U.S.
The people killed were likely poor, low-level smugglers, not drug lords.
Most overdose deaths are from fentanyl. Fentanyl doesn't come from South America.
Everything else Marshall says is correct!
Reposted by Mike Ray
It's great that reporting on the double tap has spotlighted the abject criminality of this Administration.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
December 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
It's great that reporting on the double tap has spotlighted the abject criminality of this Administration.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
But don't forget: Venezuela is not waging war on America or Americans, and the men killed were not combatants.
The first strike was every bit as illegal as the second.
Reposted by Mike Ray
Mark Kelly: "This president, when he says things like 'third world countries,' what is he really saying? I think what he's saying is he doesn't want brown people in our country. And that's disturbing. It's un-American."
November 30, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Mark Kelly: "This president, when he says things like 'third world countries,' what is he really saying? I think what he's saying is he doesn't want brown people in our country. And that's disturbing. It's un-American."
Reposted by Mike Ray
“Ah, just one more thing, sir. You’re blowing up those boats, saying they’re filled with drugs headed for the US. But then you go and pardon the guy who brought in 400 tons of cocaine. That’s billions of doses. Help me understand that.”
November 30, 2025 at 3:25 AM
“Ah, just one more thing, sir. You’re blowing up those boats, saying they’re filled with drugs headed for the US. But then you go and pardon the guy who brought in 400 tons of cocaine. That’s billions of doses. Help me understand that.”